Vouchers are a tool for parents

Published: Monday, December 3, 2012 at 2:15 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, December 3, 2012 at 2:15 p.m.

Louisiana's new voucher system was greeted by most residents as an improvement.

Rather than being stuck at particular schools based on their addresses, some parents are afforded another option: access to vouchers that pay children's tuition to the private or public schools that choose to participate in the program.

The statewide program this year involves only several thousand students. Neither the students nor the schools have to participate, and many of the schools lack the extra space to do so.

In Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, there are fewer than 100 students participating.

As a result, the program now is just a starting point. It is one more tool that some parents have to improve their choices for their children.

Just months into the new school year, though, there is a troubling sign that the vouchers could be in trouble.

A state judge in Baton Rouge last week ruled against the state, saying the voucher program is unconstitutional because it takes state money that would otherwise go to public schools and sends it to private schools instead.

The judge ruled in favor of a coalition of school boards and teacher unions that had challenged the voucher law.

Catholic-school officials have said the students in the voucher program will not be affected immediately by the decision. The students will remain in the private schools until there is a final legal decision. The state's next move is to appeal the ruling.

Nothing is final yet. The issue of vouchers contains some constitutional questions over giving public money to private schools. Those answers deserve a full hearing and a considered opinion.

The state must continue fighting on this issue.

While there are concerns that must be addressed, the bottom line is that vouchers just give parents another option.

In the end, this won't be a savior for any of the students participating in the program. Instead, it will be another way parents can look out for the interests of their children.

Before that can happen, though, there needs to be a clear resolution of the legal challenges.

<p>Louisiana's new voucher system was greeted by most residents as an improvement.</p><p>Rather than being stuck at particular schools based on their addresses, some parents are afforded another option: access to vouchers that pay children's tuition to the private or public schools that choose to participate in the program.</p><p>The statewide program this year involves only several thousand students. Neither the students nor the schools have to participate, and many of the schools lack the extra space to do so.</p><p>In Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, there are fewer than 100 students participating.</p><p>As a result, the program now is just a starting point. It is one more tool that some parents have to improve their choices for their children.</p><p>Just months into the new school year, though, there is a troubling sign that the vouchers could be in trouble.</p><p>A state judge in Baton Rouge last week ruled against the state, saying the voucher program is unconstitutional because it takes state money that would otherwise go to public schools and sends it to private schools instead.</p><p>The judge ruled in favor of a coalition of school boards and teacher unions that had challenged the voucher law.</p><p>Catholic-school officials have said the students in the voucher program will not be affected immediately by the decision. The students will remain in the private schools until there is a final legal decision. The state's next move is to appeal the ruling.</p><p>Nothing is final yet. The issue of vouchers contains some constitutional questions over giving public money to private schools. Those answers deserve a full hearing and a considered opinion.</p><p>The state must continue fighting on this issue.</p><p>While there are concerns that must be addressed, the bottom line is that vouchers just give parents another option.</p><p>In the end, this won't be a savior for any of the students participating in the program. Instead, it will be another way parents can look out for the interests of their children.</p><p>Before that can happen, though, there needs to be a clear resolution of the legal challenges.</p><p>Editorials represent the opinions of</p><p>the newspaper, not of any individual.</p>